Great news! I signed off on the final changes to the new manuscript and cover and the Joy of Bocce's 3rd edition has moved into its production phase. Considering the pace at which print-on-demand technology runs, I wouldn't be surprised if I have the book in stock in the next 10 days. If you have pre-ordered it, I will ship the same day that the books arrive on my doorstep. If you haven't ordered via the pre-release sale, you can do so for one more week - then the book will sell at the retail price of $18.45.

You can save a couple bucks off the list price and own one of the first copies off the press. See "Bocce product of the week" below.

Also, I'm still "playing around" on eBay for the "Non-bocce product of the week." I have come into a great many items (from a family member who is ill) - art work, collectibles, costume jewelry, and all sorts of curios. I'll give eBay a whirl and see what transpires. Check out the eBay product of the week. There will be so many different items that something is bound to interest you.

Loyal reader Eric Blum, a hard-hitting softball player in the Boxford, Mass. softball league gives us a heads-up on a recent article in the Boston Globe. It features Natale DeMarco, the leader of the North End Bocce Gang who regularly gives me a drubbing on the bocce court. Natale has a wonderful demeanor with people, so what did a smart guy like me do? I hired him to help me run corporate outings and parties on the North End courts.

"This is what you have been waiting for 'The Best Tournament Ever.' Big bucks are to be awarded depending on the amount of teams. 24 teams should pay around $800 to first, if all goes good. This will be played on grass with no side boards. The more teams the more money that will be paid in prizes. Sign up early to make sure you don't miss the fun."

"Hello Mario. Bocce Standards has suggested I contact you regarding information on an indoor bocce carpet … if there is such a thing. We have a community centre that is inquiring for a seniors program. Can you help or offer any suggestions? Please and thanks. Gord."

{Lots of groups are looking into carpet because they want to reduce their maintenance efforts. Astroturf and sports type turfs work well as do many indoor/outdoor carpets. I'd contact turf places and ask if they've installed any bocce court surfaces that you could view/play on/inspect.

The following is published a tad late in this ezine, but never too late to lend a helping hand/contribution...

Bridge Conroy, Special Events Manager for Special Olympics New Hampshire writes...

"The Special Olympics USA National games will be held at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln - July 18th to 23rd. 3,000 athletes from across the United States will come together in Nebraska for the games.

Special Olympics New Hampshire's team is comprised of 33 athletes/Unified Sports partners and 11 coaches. Team New Hampshire will compete in Aquatics, Athletics (track & field), Bocce, Bowling, Golf and Soccer. While in Nebraska, Team NH will compete for gold, meet new friends and have a national stage to shine!

We should all be card carrying members. Every club should be affiliated. For the sport to gain the attention it needs we need to boast of many thousands of members. Download a USBF Membership Application here:

Got an email from Dennis Grimaldi who is the Toccalana Club (Rome, NY) photographer. He sends a link to this year's World Series of Bocce photos.

Says Dennis...

"Another year has gone by, here is the 2010 World Series of Bocce album. I think its time for you to get a team and come next year. There were many teams from the Mass. area. This year we had 82 men's and 46 women's teams. You may be able to see some player's you know. The weather was great with just one downpour. I will post next year's Series when I get the dates. Enjoy the pix and hope you will post them. Toccalana Club, Rome, NY home of the WSB."

I expect to have the new edition in hand by August 1st. It should be in bookstores shortly after that. To celebrate, I've decided to run a pre-release sale just for Joy of Bocce ezine subscribers.

I hope to ship ON OR BEFORE August 1st and will send the books out as soon as they are in my possession.

The new edition will retail for $18.45 which is actually a dollar less than the 2nd edition. Don't look for lots of new text in this new edition. What I've attempted to do is tighten it and replace all the low resolution photos with high res ones, making the book much more accessible to the masses. The new book is comprehensive like the previous editions, but better suited for the mass market, not just bocce fanatics.

The new cover is eye-catching, the photos are pretty spectacular, and I feel great about the potential this edition will have on the growth of the game. I'm really proud of it and I think you will really enjoy it.

Pre-release sale price = $15.00 plus shipping. Up to 3 copies will ship for a total of $6.00.

For a large quantity of copies for resale, send me an email inquiry and I'll make you "such a deal." Email Mario@JoyofBocce.com .

Click below for this special promotion just for Joy of Bocce Weekly subscribers.

I've come into possession of a great many collectible items - a long story. I have all manner of items including costume jewelry, art work, and all kind of curios. So, I thought I'd give eBay a whirl. What the heck, I don't have much else going on.

Please - anyone running a tournament - do me a favor - put a notice near your tourney bracket board informing players that they can go to http://www.joyofbocce.com and "opt in" for my FREE Ezine on bocce. Click the logo to the right to opt in if you do not already receive this ezine every Monday.

Please consider designating someone as "official event photographer" and directing that person to send snapshots for us to reproduce as photos of the week. Our readers love seeing bocce action from around the continent.

August 20 - 22, 2010 - Ohio - Mayfield Heights. Club Molisani & the City of Mayfield Heights will host the MARSHALL SUPERSTORE CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE CUP OF BOCCE. Our growth continues with 53, 72, and 81 teams over the past three years. $150 entry fee. Pays 12 places with $4500 for first place (all guaranteed). 1st place awards for Women's Division, which pays four places with $1000 for first place (based on 16 teams). Four person teams - double elimination. The city is building a permanent pavilion over the original courts by the end of June. Contact Wayne Farinacci @ 216-509-4353 or mrnach23@sbcglobal.net.

Check out the first-rate equipment we offer. The finest measuring devices for bocce (made in UK by Prohawk for lawn bowling, petanque, and bocce) - the finest bocce balls in the world (made in Italy by Perfetta) and the number one selling instructional book on bocce in America - Check them out.Check out the merchandise